Locking means for tug connections.



CLA E, now'NI G, or wnrEnLo o;

LOCKING MEANS FOR rue CONNECTIONS.

and useful Improvements in Looking Means for Tug Connections, of which the follow-;

ing is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in locking means for tug-connections, and. the object of my improvement is to supply separable enclosing and locking-means adapted to surround and lock together theconnected parts of a tug and a swingletree, while pro-. viding for proper flexibility 1 in the joints and ease and readiness in the assembling. and disassembling ofthe parts.

This object I have accomplishedby [the means which are hereinafter described and claimed, and which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan of a tug-connection to a swingletree supplied with my improved lockingmeans; Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a top plan view thereof with the securing-means disconnected and swung away from the tug-connection; and Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the disconnectible boxing comprising the lockingmeans for the tug-connection.

Similar numerals of reference denote cor responding parts throughout the several views.

My invention is designed to prevent disconnection of the tug cockeye from the swingletree hook, while permitting of the ready assembling and disassembling of these parts. Accidents may be thus prevented, and much loss thereby obviated. My device also is so constructed that it may be applied to any tug and swingletree connection without change in the latter.

My locking-device comprises a two part open-ended boxing 1, whose halves 2 and 3 are hinged together at 4, the opposite end being separably fastened together by a hook 8 pivoted on a stud 10 on the part 2, and engaging a stud 9 on the part 3. From the boxing part 2 extend horizontally the integral bars 5 and 6 positioned one above another and having alined bolt-holes 7.

The numeral 12 denotes a plate secured upon an end of the tug 18 by a rivet 17 and by bolts 14 passed through bolt-holes therein and in a cross-bar 15 on the other side Specification of Letters Patent.

P ented-0a. 9, 1917';

Application filed January 25,1917. Seria1.No.:14,4,425." v I a 16. This supof the, tugfastened by nuts plies a strong three-point:connection, not likely to loosen orhave' play relative to the tug. Ears 13 extend from said plate along opposed edges of the tug,-spaced therefrom, and orificed in line with the orifices 7 in the boxing bars 5 and 6 to register therewith when the bars are assembled over said ears, bolts 24 and nuts 11 being used toconnect the bars pivotally to said ears. -.A cockeye 19 is swiveled to one end-of the tug 18 as usual and receives-the usual hook 20 on. theloop 21 of the socket-casting 22 of the swingletree 23. V p

- When the hook 20 is linked with the cockeye 19, the opened boxing 1 can be swung around on the pivot-bolts 2 1 to enclose the hook and cockeye between andwithin its parts 2 and 3, and the hook 8 then-fastened aboutthe stud 9 to'lock'said boxing-parts together. Any other desired means for fastening the boxing-parts together" separably may be adopted, as may be desired and convenient.

When the linked hook and cockeye are enclosed, they cannot be disconnected without spreading apart the boxing-parts 2 and 3. When the boxing is so closed about them, the hook 20 engages the inner wall of the boxing when rocked upon the cockeye, and its movement is so much restricted that it cannot disconnect therefrom.

The boxing-parts 2 and 3 may be swung apart, as shown in Fig. 3, to release the connected hook and cockeye, and the boxing 1 as a whole, then swung laterally out of the way on the pivot-bolts 24, to permit of the ready disassembling of said connections.

It will be observed that my locking-device does not restrict any necessary free play of the tug-connections relative to each other, such as is required for the properaction thereof when in use.

Various modifications may be made in the proportions, dimensions, or arrangements of the parts of my device, without departing from the principles of my invention, or the scope of its protection.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: e

1. Locking-means for a tug-connection, comprising the combination with a tug, a cockeye and a swingletree hook, of a boxing swingingly connected to the tug in line therewith, enclosing said cockeyc and hook all around to prevent their separation from each other When interlinked.

2. Locking-means for a tug-connection,

com risin the combination with a tu a cockeye and a sWingletree hook, of a boxing having sections separably mounted about said cockeye and hook When interlinked, the sections having arms pivoted to opposite edges of the tug end.

3. Locking-means for a tug-connection, comprising the combination with a tug cockeye and a swingletree hook, of a boxing having sections hinged together and mounted about said cockeye and hook When interlinked to limit swinging of the hook in one direction relative to the cockeye, and means for disconnectibly securing the parts of said boxing together.

a. Lockingmeans r'or a tug-connection, comprising the combination with a tug cock eye and a swingletree hook, or a boxing having opposite open ends and consisting of sections hinged together and mounted to en close said cockeye and hook When interlinked, the inner Walls of said boxing acting to limit movements of the hook relative to the cockeye to prevent its disengagement therefrom.

5. Locking-means for a tug-connection,

comprising the combination with a tug, a cockeye sWiveled thereon, and a svvlngletree having a hook adapted to be detachably in terlinked with said cockeye, of a sectional open-ended boxing composed of parts hinged together and adapted to enclose said cockeye and hook When interlinked, and means for fastening the parts of said boxing together separably, said boxing being pivotally connected to said tug.

6. Locking-means for a tugconnection, comprising the combination With a tug, a cockeye swiveled thereon, and a swingletree having a hook adapted to be detachably interlinked with said cockeye, of a two-part boxing having opposite open ends and adapted to receive and enclose said cockeye and hook when interlinked, and means for fastening said parts of said boxing together separably, said boxing having arms pivotally connected to said tug to permit it When its parts are separated, to be swung angularly away from said interlinked cockeye and hook.

Signed at \Vaterloo, Iowa, this 5th day of Jan, 1917.

CLARK E. DOWNING. Witnesses:

PEARL M. STANTON, G. G. KENNEDY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

